Good news from Senator Chandler

State Sen. Harriette Chandler (D-Worcester) told selectmen Monday night the town’s request for funding for repair of Mirick Road from East Princeton Road to Beaman Road has successfully passed the first hurdle.

“You’ve got the beginning of the grant as it has passed the preliminary stage,” said Chandler.

Town Administrator John Lebeaux said the town applied for a grant for road repair in 2009 but didn’t get it.

Chandler also said the administration’s Supplemental Budget contains $6.5 million for reimbursement funds to towns impacted by the 2008 ice storm. That budget should be coming out within the new few weeks, said Chandler. To Princeton that means approximately $400,000, shared between the town and the light department.

“We’re hoping you will see the rest of your ice storm money,” said Chandler. State revenues have come in much better this year, she said.

“It comes at a most fortuitous time,” said select board chairman Raymond Dennehy. “The Green Repair project found PCB’s in the window caulking at the school that so far is going to cost $300,000,” said Dennehy. “It is of paramount importance that we get the last bit of money for the ice storm so we can put it right to work.”

Chandler said she toured the school earlier in the day with the principal and Lebeaux. A school in Worcester has the same problem, said Chandler.

“The Green Repair Program brought this situation to light, and there are other schools (Worcester, New Bedford and Westport) in the same predicament, so hopefully we can see what MSBA could do,” said Dennehy.

“It’s somewhat daunting for the town to be adding $300,000 to an already large budget,” said Chandler. “I’m more than willing to contact MSBA. This comes at a time when you can ill afford it. We need to see if the state can help you.”

“A month ago we were unaware of the scope and size of the problem at the school,” said Lebeaux. “It’s still early and we need to finish exploration and determine the scope of the project. The newest thing that has come up is an investigation of whether the soils outside the windows contain PCB’s. The ventilation units are beneath the windows and frequently the soils outside the windows contain PCBs. That would be in the courtyard area. The area has been tested but the results aren’t in yet. Once we have that information we can develop a remedial plan.”

Officials are hopeful that some of the costs can be moved into the Green Repair program, but testing won’t be reimbursed, said Lebeaux, nor will the remediation of the library, cafeteria and computer room.

“Towns don’t have the money they used to,” said Chandler, “and this is an emergency. You’ve moved kids but you still have a problem. MSBA needs to see if there is anything in their budget that could help with this.”

Along with the supplemental budget, topping the list of items before state lawmakers is pension reform, said Chandler.

“We have to attempt to deal with the unfunded liability of pensions for public employees,” she said. “We also have to keep up with demographics. We have an older population that is living longer and working longer. Moving the retirement age for public employees to 67 is on the agenda. Also on the lawmaker’s list is gaming, for up to three gaming facilities and slot machines, which would have to go out to bid.”

Chandler said with gaming, she’s concerned about businesses such as the Hanover Theater. Casinos have entertainment and contract agreements with artists that limits them to not performing within so many miles of a casino, she said.